The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[k&a&c'smom]

We're planning to celebrate the in-laws anniversary at Narcoossee's! I know they do the personalized menu and I'm planning to order a cake from the GF bakery.

Is the amotsphere suitable for an anniversary? We've never been and like I said it's my in-laws 40th anniversary! I thought I read that they pipe the music in from Wishes? Is that true? Thanks!

We love Narcoossee's and have done several birthday celebrations there. We've seen many families celebrating special events, so I think the atmosphere is suitable - but it depends on what you are looking for. Do you want a nice restaurant with a family ambiance, or do you want a quieter, more refined feel? If the latter, Citricos would probably be the better choice.

Whenever we have been during Wishes, they have dimmed the lights and piped in the music. If you do not have a window table, you can go outside to the wraparound deck - however, we try not to block the view of those inside who DO have a window table!

PaulaSB12 - sorry, I don't know what choices for soda pop they have at the GF. We don't drink much pop, so we don't see the fountain area when in Gasparilla's. Hopefully, someone else can help with your question!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We love Narcoossee's and have done several birthday celebrations there. We've seen many families celebrating special events, so I think the atmosphere is suitable - but it depends on what you are looking for. Do you want a nice restaurant with a family ambiance, or do you want a quieter, more refined feel? If the latter, Citricos would probably be the better choice.

Whenever we have been during Wishes, they have dimmed the lights and piped in the music. If you do not have a window table, you can go outside to the wraparound deck - however, we try not to block the view of those inside who DO have a window table!

PaulaSB12 - sorry, I don't know what choices for soda pop they have at the GF. We don't drink much pop, so we don't see the fountain area when in Gasparilla's. Hopefully, someone else can help with your question!

Thanks! We are looking for the family ambiance so this sounds just right then! I think they'll enjoy being close to the water and possibly seeing Wishes from the restaurant. I've heard the food is very good too so this sounds like the place for a celebration! Thanks again!

 

[praline3001]

Can you get coke zero at the Grand? I am not that keen on diet coke.

sorry, I can't help you with that one. I am just the opposite and prefer the diet coke.

We love Narcoossee's and have done several birthday celebrations there. We've seen many families celebrating special events, so I think the atmosphere is suitable - but it depends on what you are looking for. Do you want a nice restaurant with a family ambiance, or do you want a quieter, more refined feel? If the latter, Citricos would probably be the better choice.

Narcoosses has more of a family feel. It's a bit louder than Citricos. It just depends on what kind of ambiance your trying to set up.

 

[billnang]

Brook..

I love the Test Track dress... I loved your daughters dresses from your last trip....My daughter will be 5 and would love at least one pretty dress to wear like that can you point me in the direction not test track though...

Angela

 

[Misti]

Can you get coke zero at the Grand? I am not that keen on diet coke.

Paula, I *think* I remember seeing it for sale in the Sandy Cove gift shop in 20oz bottles. I'll be back in a week though and I'll definitely look around for you!

 

[loralie]

Hi Guys,

I am so excited...13 days to go!

I am thinking about what I need to pack. I know most people rave about the H2O products at the GF. Do you bring shampoo and conditioner with you or do you just use what they give you? I am trying to pack as little as possible and figured if the products are so good it could be one less thing to pack. Anything else you packed and did not need because you were staying at the GF? What do you bring all the time that you could not do without? Anyone have a good packing list?

Thanks,

Loralie

 

[johnsonet]

We're planning to celebrate the in-laws anniversary at Narcoossee's! I know they do the personalized menu and I'm planning to order a cake from the GF bakery.

Is the amotsphere suitable for an anniversary? We've never been and like I said it's my in-laws 40th anniversary! I thought I read that they pipe the music in from Wishes? Is that true? Thanks!

Sounds perfect. In all our GF stays we have only dined at Narcoossee's once but it was very good food and great service. I agree that it can get loud in there! But for your family's celebration I'll bet you will love it

Hi Guys,

I am so excited...13 days to go!

I am thinking about what I need to pack. I know most people rave about the H2O products at the GF. Do you bring shampoo and conditioner with you or do you just use what they give you? I am trying to pack as little as possible and figured if the products are so good it could be one less thing to pack. Anything else you packed and did not need because you were staying at the GF? What do you bring all the time that you could not do without? Anyone have a good packing list?

Thanks,

Loralie

You're getting really close!
I like the H2O products but I do take my own shampoo and conditioner when I travel... If you're not addicted to your own shampoo and want to pack light then I'm sure you'll enjoy the GF's products
I take my own coffee and my own hair products but I usually make do with the hair dryers provided, as well as the body products.

Don't forget your sunscreen!

 

[Misti]

Hi Guys,

Do you bring shampoo and conditioner with you or do you just use what they give you?

Thanks,

Loralie

8 days for us!!

I always pack my own shampoo/conditioner. While I love the H20 soaps/lotions, the shampoo still does what typical resort shampoo does.. makes it dry, tangled and fly-away. To save space, I use the 3oz travel plastic bottles and fill it with my favorite shampoo/conditioner. No need for a hairdryer but you probably know that. If the wall mounted one isn't powerful enough, call Mousekeeping and they'll bring you a regular hairdryer.

Happy Packing and see you there!

 

[BlueSkies]

3prettyprincesses I think Narcooseees is the perfect place for a family celebration! You will really enjoy it! If you do not order a cake they do give you a celebration dessert with a salutation on it that is yummy! As far as the food goes its delicious but save room for the almond cheese cake for dessert!!! Its great!

Misti 8 days!!!

Loralie The rooms have hair dryers and an iron and ironing board...(even though I try not to I always manage to have to iron on vacation...) I dont not pack hair products and really like the h2o spa shampoo and conditioner...has a nice smell(ocean beachy kinda) and I find that it works well on my hair...the kids like it too...we have even ordered some for home we liked it so much... Your trip is almost here too...

Hope we'll be hearing all about them...

 

[praline3001]

For all of you leaving soon and looking for a complete packing list.. mousesavers has a great one

http://www.mousesavers.com/timeismoney.html#packing

Hope that helps all of you soon to be GF guest

 

[PaulaSB12]

For all of you leaving soon and looking for a complete packing list.. mousesavers has a great one

http://www.mousesavers.com/timeismoney.html#packing

Hope that helps all of you soon to be GF guest

Great all I need to do for my holiday is

1 adrs I can book these June 24
2 Car hire for 7 days
3 night at airport hotel for flight out
4 grovelling to my mother to weed my allotment while I am away

 

[3prettyprincesses]

For all of you leaving soon and looking for a complete packing list.. mousesavers has a great one

http://www.mousesavers.com/timeismoney.html#packing

Hope that helps all of you soon to be GF guest

Holy cow! That list is awesome. I'll be printing it and checking off things for our trip when we go in October! I'm soooo ridiculous about making lists (my husband says I have a sickness!) that this actually excited me! Thanks for posting it!

 

[JoeMickey]

I know they are charging for packages being delivered. Is this the case for the the companies delivering groceries for you? We used Garden Grocer last year and will be again, just wondering if they now charge to except these deliveries.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[BCV23]

I know they are charging for packages being delivered. Is this the case for the the companies delivering groceries for you? We used Garden Grocer last year and will be again, just wondering if they now charge to except these deliveries.

Thanks,

Joe

Hi, Joe. We've never used Garden Grocer so I don't have an answer for you. But here's a bump as this is about to slip to the next page.

 

[Twinkerbell]

I am getting sooooo excited!!!! We have 6nights/7days at the Grand Sept/Oct. Can anybody tell me which building has the best view of the castle?

 

[loralie]

For all of you leaving soon and looking for a complete packing list.. mousesavers has a great one

http://www.mousesavers.com/timeismoney.html#packing

Hope that helps all of you soon to be GF guest

WOW...that list is awesome!

Thanks,

Loralie

 

[Tam1067]

Hi all--

I'm so excited. My 90 day mark is Mother's Day (yes, I will be up at 6:00 a.m. my time to make those dining reservations), and we're staying at the Grand for the first time, after being at the Polynesian the last three years in a row.

For all you Grand experts, would you recommend Citricos with kids? My kids are well-behaved, and the oldest is a foodie; the other two are able to sit, but I hate to force them to sit for 2 or so hours when they'd rather be having fun. I'm just not sure if the atmosphere is appropriate for them. We're doing Narcoossee's and California Grill, as well as a number of other places, but I'm still thinking about one more dinner spot.

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

I am getting sooooo excited!!!! We have 6nights/7days at the Grand Sept/Oct. Can anybody tell me which building has the best view of the castle?

We've had theme park view from Conch Key and loved it. It has the closest direct view. But everyone seems to love the TPV from whichever lodge they're assigned. Sago Cay is also direct. Boca Chica and Big Pine Key have views that are a little oblique to the castle but those rooms enjoy a panoramic view of Seven Seas Lagoon. We haven't made any requests when booked for Theme Park view but if I were to make one, it would probably just be for unobstructed view.

Hi all--

I'm so excited. My 90 day mark is Mother's Day (yes, I will be up at 6:00 a.m. my time to make those dining reservations), and we're staying at the Grand for the first time, after being at the Polynesian the last three years in a row.

For all you Grand experts, would you recommend Citricos with kids? My kids are well-behaved, and the oldest is a foodie; the other two are able to sit, but I hate to force them to sit for 2 or so hours when they'd rather be having fun. I'm just not sure if the atmosphere is appropriate for them. We're doing Narcoossee's and California Grill, as well as a number of other places, but I'm still thinking about one more dinner spot.

Thanks!

Citricos is great. Your children will be fine there. If you want to shorten the meal for the sake of the two younger children, perhaps skip a course or two. Or one parent could leave with the younger two, grab a Mickey Bar for dessert and have fun.

The restaurants are a real highlight of staying at the GF. Enjoy!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Hi all--

I'm so excited. My 90 day mark is Mother's Day (yes, I will be up at 6:00 a.m. my time to make those dining reservations), and we're staying at the Grand for the first time, after being at the Polynesian the last three years in a row.

For all you Grand experts, would you recommend Citricos with kids? My kids are well-behaved, and the oldest is a foodie; the other two are able to sit, but I hate to force them to sit for 2 or so hours when they'd rather be having fun. I'm just not sure if the atmosphere is appropriate for them. We're doing Narcoossee's and California Grill, as well as a number of other places, but I'm still thinking about one more dinner spot.

Thanks!

they should be fine. ask for mickey straws! they give them to the kids. The food is not to be missed so I wouldn't skip this one! you could alwyas bring a coloring book or something?

 

[Tam1067]

BCV and Heatherlynn--

Thank you so much for the encouragement about Citricos. I am certainly going to add it to our list now. I was hesitant before, but I'm now excited about it.

One more week till my ADRs!